Job shortage, minimum wage, living wage, skills mismatch, unemployed graduates, unemployment rate, underemployment, foreign workers, 3D or dirty, dangerous, difficult jobs and gig workers i.e., independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, on-call workers and temporary workers [1] are issues/topics debated and deliberated frequently. The chatter made me rewind to my, long ago, job search.

It was 1985. I had just graduated. I was back in Alor Setar, my hometown. My dad had just passed away. “Malaysia was in a recession. Its gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 1% that year. The unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in 1985 and 7.4% in 1986. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratios of commercial banks hit a high of 30% in 1987 and 1988[2].”

Not the best of times on many levels. Certainly not for job opportunities. But, search for jobs, I did. I applied the old-fashioned way. Checked the newspapers. Wrote many applications. Yes, wrote them with a pen on Conqueror paper – that gold standard watermarked writing paper. Included my resume that was rather short on experience. Went to the post office. Got stamps and posted them to my potential employers. I wrote in for any vacancy that was remotely relevant to my degree. Which, by the way, was in Social Science with a major in Anthropology and Sociology.

My husband used to tease and annoy me that my degree was too broad/general. In a sense, it’s true. Because it involves evolving people, culture and organisations. “Anthropology studies human behaviour more at the individual level, while sociology focuses more on group behaviour and relations with social structures and institutions[3].” My degree qualified me for jobs such as “teacher, social/human service worker, correctional officer, museum professional and community organiser [4].” 

After many applications and rejections over a period of at least three months, I succeeded in securing three interviews. The first was for an air traffic controller. Yes, I know. I don’t know anything about the job. I remember it being quite exciting. The interview was held at Subang Airport. The first part of the process was a very long written exam. I passed. I then went to Kuala Lumpur for an in-person interview. Failed. Sadly, I didn’t get my wings. It was a bit of a wasted expense especially as I was unemployed with little money. And, a long hike by bus to the capital city. Nevertheless, it was an experience I actually enjoyed.

My second interview was for a police inspector in Alor Setar. I received many juvenile jokes about the police force using me as a decoy or ruse to bust criminals. How? One look at my small physique, crooks and baddies would kill themselves laughing. No need for any physical tussle or use of force, when I showed up to apprehend them. I think my decision to apply was partly because my dad used to work in the police force. Failed again. I didn’t pass muster. Sigh.

The third interview was for a sales executive with Electrolux. Also, in Alor Setar. As ‘they’ say the third time was a charm. I landed my first job. Selling electric sewing machines. I had never sewn or used a sewing machine before. My mum had a manual machine with a foot peddle that she used to sew cushions and curtains for Deepavali. I had no interest at all. Training was provided every morning. On selling techniques, customer service and operating the sewing machine. I was in-charge of a team of 4. Needs must, so I learnt and learnt quickly.

What was the takeaway from my first job? I knew, even though, I didn’t have the skills or experience for the job, I had the ability to speak clearly and be understood, somewhat. Plus a semblance of intelligence to learn and pick-up new information, and act accordingly in different situations. I learnt to work relatively well in an office environment. To communicate with my bosses, and the team I supervised. To speak to customers who were from different walks of life. To do simple sales reports and present them. To be organised and reliable.

The truth was I had no interest in selling. That said, I knew I was fortunate to land a job when there weren’t many going around. My starting salary was RM1,200 in 1985. In 2021, the average fresh graduate monthly salary in Malaysia was about RM 2,412. Fresh graduates can expect a salary range of between RM 1,949 to RM 2,836 per month[5]. Hmm…

Selling sewing machines led to my next job and the jobs after that. The lesson I learnt was to first get on the job/career ladder. Then, work my way to where I hoped and wanted to be. Or thereabouts.